Panel mounted switch housing



March 28, 1967 J. A. KOEPKE 3,311,731

PANEL MOUNTED SWITCH HOUSING Filed March 4. 1966 INVENTOR.

John A. Keep/re His Aff'ys United States Patent 3,311,731 PANEL MOUNTEDSWITCH HOUSING John A. Koeplre, Mount Prospect, TIL, assignor toiliinois Tool Worirs Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Dela- WareFiled Mar. 4-, 1966, Ser. No. 531,672 1% Ciaims. (Cl. 200-168) Thepresent invention relates to a panel mounted switch housing, and moreparticularly, to a snap-in, releasably mounted switch housing forreception by an apertured panel member.

There are several well known structures for mounting a switch housing orother similar body member to an apertured panel. These include suchapproaches as the provision of apertured flange members on a switchhousing, each of which are adapted to underlie an associated panel andreceive a fastening element to mount the switch housing to itsassociated panel as shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,157,771; afastening assembly including a threaded neck projecting through a panelaperture which is threadably associated with nut elements as shown, forexample in US. Patent No. 3,118,038; and flexible spring steel fingerelements, either integral with or attached to the switch housing, whichreleasably maintain the housing to the panel as is illustrated in US.Patent No. 3,139,- 768. The present invention is an improvement over themounting structure shown in this last mentioned patent as will becomemore apparent in the discussion that is to follow.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a switch housingmounting structure which permits snap-in front mounting as well asremoval of the structure from an apertured panel.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a switchhousing mounting structure which, in addition to the aforementionedobject, provides a reliable fit to panels of differing thickness, evenwhere the apertures of the panels vary in size within predeterminedlimits.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a switchhousing mounting structure which provides, in addition to the aboveobjects, single operation molding of the switch housing and its mountingstructure, thus eliminating costly and time consuming assembly problemsas well as the number of parts needed to suit the particulars required.

These and other objects and advantages are obtained through theprovision of a switch housing made from plastic material having aplurality of integral and flexible wing elements which retain thehousing to an apertured panel.

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a lighted push button switchassembly having an alternate action mechanism and incorporating theswitch housing which is constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view illustrating the integraland flexible wing elements projecting from the switch housing adjacentone end thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the 'manner inwhich the switch housing and its wing elements cooperate to retain theswitch assembly to an apertured panel;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of one of the wingelements and a portion of the switch housing which cooperates therewith;and

FIGS. Sa-b are fragmentary end elevational views, partly in section,showing the manner in which the switch mounting structure canaccommodate panels of differing thicknesses.

Mar. 2?, i967 Referring now to the drawing and first to FIG. 1, therewill be seen a switch assembly 16 which includes a hollow casing orhousing 12 having a pair of switches 14 attached thereto adjacent oneend thereof, and a slidably mounted reciprocating pellucid button means16 which is structurally inter-related to an alternate action mechanism18 positioned intermediate the switches 14 and the push button 16 toprovide alternate actuation and release of the switch actuator buttons29. For a more detailed description of this particular switch assembly,reference is hereby made to patent application Ser. No. 443,554, filedMar. 29, 1965, under the name of George I. Bury, and assigned to thesame assignee of the present invention.

It will be understood that the switch assembly 19 shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawing is intended to represent one typical environment in which theswitch casing or housing 12 can be used. Various other embodiments notrepresented in the drawing and yet which are contemplated by the scopeof the attached claims will become apparent upon an understanding of thediscussion that is to follow.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the switch casing or housing 12comprises a hollow body member of generally rectangular configurationincluding four interconnected side walls 22. The exterior shape of thehousing may be varied as desired, but preferably comprises a polygonallyshaped configuration to prevent rotational movement of the casing orhousing 12 when mounted within its panel aperture. Where switchcomponents such as the switches 14 and the alternate action mechanism 18are to be mounted to the casing or housing 12, there is provided a pairof spaced, downwardly extending side flanges 24 to permit mounting ofthe switches and the alternate action mechanism 14, 13 respectivelytherebetween in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

At the upper end of tthe casing or housing 12, a circumferentiallyextending, laterally outwardly directed shoulder 26 is provided to limitthe extent of insertion of the casing within its associated aperturedpanel as will become more apparent hereinafter. A pair of generallyopposed, barrier elements 28 are integrally connected to the shouldermeans 26 and extend upwardly therefrom to a point beyond the uppersurface of the push button 16 when not depressed or actuated. The slightprotruding character of the barrier elements 28 prevents inadvertentoperation of closely adjacent switches mounted to an apertured panel byrequiring direct engagement of the push button 16 before operation ofthe switch assembly or device can be effected.

In order to mount the switch casing or housing 12 to an aperture panel,there is provided, in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, at least one pair of generally opposed, integral and flexiblewing elements 30 which have a predetermined divergent relationship withrespect to the axis of the casing or housing 12. In the form illustratedin the drawing, there is shown two pairs of generally opposed wingelements 39 which are integrally connected to the two longer walls 22 ofthe rectangularly shaped body member closely adjacent to each of thecorners thereof.

Each wing element 32. includes a first portion 32 which extends upwardlyand outwardly on a diverging angle with respect to the housing 12, and asecond portion which extends upwardly and slightly inwardly from itsassociated first portion 32. The diiference in the angle of inclinationbetween the first and second portions 32, 34- respectively of each wingelement 36 serves to provide a shoulder 36 at the juncture of suchportions which can be used as an underlying abutment engaging the rearface of an apertured panel member as will become apparent. While theangle of divergence of the first and second 6 portions 32, 34'respectively of each wing element may be varied within predeterminedlimits, taking into consideration the type of plastic material used andthe thickness of the wing elements, it has been found that in thepreferred arrangement each first portion should extend at an angle ofapproximately 45 with respect to the axis of the housing or body member,and each second portion should be angularly disposed from the firstportion at an angle of approximately 150.

At the uppermost extent of each wing element 34), there is preferablyprovided a radially enlarged bead 38 which terminates short of thelaterally outwardly directed shoulder 26 to prevent interferencetherewith. The radially enlarged bead 38 provided on each of the wingelements 343 affords some lateral strength to each of the wing elements,but is primarily designed to be received within a complementary groove40 immediately below the laterally outwardly directed shoulder 26 asbest seen in FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown, there are four such groovemeans ill, each of which are aligned with one of the radially enlargedbeads 33 on a respective wing element 39. The cooperative engagement ofeach bead and groove 38, 49 respectively will prevent inadvertentremoval or disassociation of the wing elements where they wouldinterfere with either the snap-in mounting or removal of the switchhousing or body member. Further, each bead 38 positioned within itsassociated groove it? will serve as a sliding pivot or fulcrum toenhance the spring action of its wing element 30 as will be describedbelow.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, there is provided in the illustratedembodiment a laterally outwardly oflset integral projection or shoulder4-2 which is positioned intermediate each pair of wing elements locatedon one of the longer side walls 22 of the housing. The rigid projectionor shoulder 42 projects outwardly from the housing so that its outerface or surface will be generally aligned with the exterior surface ofeach adjacent pair of wing element second portions 34 when the radiallyenlarged beads 38 are received within their complementary grooves 40. Inthis way, it is possible to provide a snap-in mounting structure wherethere will be surface contact with the marginal portions surrounding thepanel aperture throughout the entire length of the side walls to whichthe flexible mounting structure is attached. This will also become moreapparent hereinafter.

As previously indicated, it is important to form the switch housing 12and its associated wing elements 30 from a plastic material which hassutficient strength and durability to provide a relatively stablehousing which permits repeated application and removal from an aperturedpanel, and yet which affords sufficient resiliency for the wing elements319 enabling snap-in mounting and removal of the housing from anapertured panel. It has been found that acctal resins, among others, canprovide the above characteristics.

To take advantage of this inherent resiliency so as to provide thedesired snap-in mounting characteristics, it is important that each ofthe wing elements 36 have a predetermined configuration and thickness.The predetermined upward and outward divergent of each wing elementfirst and second portions 32, 34 respectively will provide sufiicientspacing between each wing element and housing so as to permit radialinward flexing of the wing elements during application to an aperturedpanel. To enhance the flexibility of each wing element 3% a roundedfillet or groove area is provided immediately adjacent to and above eachwing elements in the vicinity of its juncture with the housing 12. Aswill be apparent, the fillet or groove area 44 will provide lessresistance to inward flexing of a respective wing element 3t), thuspromoting its flexibility. It will also be recognized that the side wallarea immediately below and aligned with each of the groove means 4i? istapered downwardly and inwardly therefrom and intersects the fillet area44 at a point spaced from the outermost extent of the side wall 22. Thiswill provide a relatively thick side wall for the housing withoutinterfering with the radial inward flexing of each of the wing elements30.

The housing 12 and the switch components mounted therein are adapted tobe inserted within an apertured panel, such as the panel 59 in FIG. 3,wherein the aperture is complementary to the preferred polygonalconfiguration of the housing 12, but is of a slightly larger size.Inserting the housing 12 within such an aperture will cause thesurrounding marginal portions thereof to engage the first portions 32 ofeach of the wing elements 30 to cause radial inward flexing thereofabout the point of juncture of the wing elements with the housing.Inward movement of the wing elements 30 will position the radiallyenlarged beads 38 within the respective grooves 40 with which they areto be associated so as to prevent inadvertent separation of the wingelements from the housing, particularly where thin panels are used.Movement of the housing 12 is continued until the laterally outwardlydirected shoulder 26, which has at least one transverse dimensiongreater than the panel aperture, engages at least part of thesurrounding marginal portions of the aperture. Vthen this occurs, thebead 38 of each wing element 30 will be fully received within itscomplementary groove 40 so that the outer surface thereof is insubstantial alignment with the outer or exterior face of the laterallyoutwardly directed projection 42 intermediate a pair of spaced groovemeans on one of the longer side walls. As a result, it is possible toobtain a snap-action or snap-in mounting of the housing and yet providesurface contact throughout the length of one of the longer side walls bythe combined effect of the projections 42 and the outer faces or surfaceof the second portions 34 which engage corresponding marginal portionsadjacent the panel aperture.

To facilitate removal of switch housing 12 from the apertured panel, itis important that the distance between the free end of each wing element36 and the laterally directed shoulder 26 is less than the thickness ofthe work panel to assure that the marginal portions adjacent the panelaperture engage and maintain the radially enlarged head 38 of each wingelement within its respective groove. While the switching housing 12 ismounted within an apertured panel, it is important to preventinadvertent or accidental removal thereof, and for this purpose, thelength of each wing element second portion 34 is preferably greater thanthe thickness of the aperture panel to enable the shoulder 36 to act asan underlying abutment preventing inadvertent removal.

As readily depicted in FIG. Sa-b, the switch housing 12 of the presentinvention can be mounted within work panels of differing thicknesses andyet the snap-in mounting and relatively easy withdrawal thereof canstill be effected. The panel member 52 illustrated in FIG. 5a issubstantially twice the thickness of panel member 54 shown in FIG. 512,but this will not affect the application and removal of the switchhousing.

From the foregoing it will now be apparent that the present inventioncontemplates a flexible mounting structure for a switch housing or thelike permitting easy application and removal to apertured panels ofdilfering thicknesses while providing a relatively stable mounting andsecure fit when the housing is in applied position. The single operationmolding of the switch housing eliminates secondary assembly operationsand provides a relatively low cost item which is also of goodreliability and relatively long life. While only a single illustratedembodiment has been shown in the drawing, it is apparent thatmodifications and variations therefrom as contemplated by the claims arepossible. By way of example, the mounting structure for the switchhousing can be employed in connection with the individual switches whichare shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing or with any other structure which isto be mounted through an apertured panel. It is also obvious andintended herein that il ma y her structural details as shown anddescribed may be changed without departing from the spirit and the scopeof the appended claims.

i claim:

1. A one-piece switch housing made from a plastic material havingresilient characteristics and adapted to receive switch components forassembly to an apertured panel, said switch housing comprising asubstantially rigid hollow body member having at least a pair ofexteriorly disposed, integral wing elements arranged on said body memberin generally opposed relationship, said body member being imperforate inthe vicinity of said wing elements, each wing element disposed at apredetermined divergent angle from its juncture with said body memberand terminating in a free end located beneath a laterally outwardlydirected shoulder of said body member, each wing element designed toprovide shoulder means for engaging the complementary apertured panelwith which it is adapted to be associated, the thickness of each wingelement being sutficiently less than the thickness of said body memberto cause radial inward fiexing of said wing elements upon passingthrough the aperture of said panel for spring retention of said switchhousing against marginal portions surrounding the panel aperture, thelaterally outwardly directed shoulder of said switch housing being inengagement with said apertured panel when completely assembled thereto.

2. The switch housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the distancebetween the free end of each wing element and the laterally directedshoulder of said body member is less than the thickness of the workpanel to cause each free end to be engaged by surrounding marginalportions of the panel aperture.

3. The switch housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein each wing elementincludes a first and a second portion, each first portion extendingupwardly and outwardly at a diverging angle with respect to said bodymember, each second portion extending upwardly and slightly inwardlyfrom said first portion and terminating in a radially enlarged head.

4. The switch housing as set forth in claim 3 wherein each first portionextends at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to the axis of saidbody member, and each second portion is angularly disposed from saidfirst portion at an angle of approximately 150.

5. The switch housing as set forth in claim 3 wherein said body memberincludes a groove means immediately below the laterally directedshoulder of said body member for receiving the radially enlarged bodyprovided on each of said wing elements.

6. The switch housing as set forth in claim 3 wherein the length of eachsecond portion is greater than the thickness of the apertured panelwhereby the juncture of the first and second portions of each wingelement serves as an underlying shoulder preventing ready removal ofsaid switch housing from said apertured panel.

7. The switch housing as set forth in claim 1 and including a filletarea immediately adjacent to and above each wing element to facilitateradial inward flexing thereof.

8. The switch housing as set forth in claim 1 and including two pairs ofwing elements substantailly arranged in quadrature relationship on saidbody member.

9. The switch housing as set forth in claim 6 including two pairs ofwing elements substantially arranged in quadrature relation on said bodymember, and a laterally outwardly offset shoulder positioned betweeneach pair of wing elements on one side of said body member to enable theradially enlarged bead of each wing element to be received within itsrespective groove means with the laterally outwardly directed shoulderengaging marginal portions surrounding the panel aperture to providesurface contact across the entire area between and including each pairof wing elements arranged on opposite sides of the body member.

10. The switch housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hollow bodymember and said panel aperture have complementary polygonalconfigurations.

References Qited by the UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,931,006 3/1960 Klumpp200-l68 3,223,813 12/1965 Lewandowski 2()0168 3,249,726 5/1966 Long200168 3,273,104 9/1966 Krol 200168 ROBERT K. SCHAEFFER, PrimaryExaminer. H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner.

1. A ONE-PIECE SWITCH HOUSING MADE FROM A PLASTIC MATERIAL HAVINGRESILIENT CHARACTERISTIC AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SWITCH COMPONENTS FORASSEMBLY TO AN APERTURED PANEL, SAID SWITCH HOUSING COMPRISING ASUBSTANTIALLY RIGID HOLLOW BODY MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST AW PAIR OFEXTERIORLY DISPOSED, INTERGRAL WING ELEMENTS ARRANGED ON SAID BODYMEMBER IN GENERALLY OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP, SAID BODY MEMBER BEINGIMPERFORATE IN THE VICINITY OF SAID WING ELEMENTS, EACH WING ELEMENTDISPOSED AT A PREDETERMINED DIVERGENT ANGLE FROM ITS JUNCTURE WITH SAIDBODY MEMBER AND TERMINATING IN A FREE END LOCATED BENEATH A LATERALLYOUTWARDLY DIRECTED SHOULDER OF SAID BODY MEMBER, EACH WING ELEMENTDESIGNED TO PROVIDE SHOULDER MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE COMPLEMENTARYAPERTURED PANEL WITH WHICH IT IS ADAPTED TO BE ASSOCIATED, THE THICKNESSOF EACH WING ELEMENT BEING SUFFICIENTLY LESS THAN THE THICKNESS OF SAIDBODY